How far out from your wedding did you book your caterer?

My wedding is going to be in Ipswich, MA. It is on a Saturday July 2015. I am sure my date is popular so I am trying to do things in advance. This one catering company I like told me they had already fully booked 2015 dates (they are a big company who can do multiple weddings in one day) and that I should book asap. My wedding is 1.5 years away is this totally crazy?? I don’t know if she was just being salesy trying to close.. I did specifically ask her how far out people typically book.. or trying to make sure I didn’t get disappointed if I waited.. the whole thing just seems so crazy to me. I mean some chicks get engaged and plan their whole weddings in a year and I need to worry about this?!

Anyone else have a wedding on a Saturday in the summer? How far out did you book your catering etc?

Our caterer is included in our venue which we booked 16 months out and our first choice date was already booked. If we had to look for a caterer we’d probably book between 12-15 months out. I’d say the sooner the better once you’re sure and have tasted their food.

Do you get a choice in your caterer? Is it from a pre-approved list? My venue in the Cambridge/Boston area had no restrictions on the caterer. I booked mine about 10 month out with no rush, and it is a labor day weekend wedding so a super popular date. I think it is always good to wait and do research more before booking any vendor, and saying you need to book ASAP 1.5 years out is ridiculous in my opinion.

@crazeecatlady: If you’re for sure who you’re using as your caterer, I’d ask them if you could put in a deposit and wait till later to pay the remainder. Reason being, since its 1.5 years away, you dont know for sure who will be there. You dont want to pay the full bill and then after too little or too much food.

I’m also a boston bee. I feel like a year and a half is reasonable to book as long as you are certain this is the caterer you want to work with. wbat I’ve learned from planning is that things get booked fast!